20 November 2014

Time is
running out to take part in the 2014 Regional Wellbeing Survey

The
National Rural Health Alliance is pleased to support the 2014 Regional
Wellbeing Survey. The
Centre for Research and Action in Public Health conducts the survey
to support research that improves the wellbeing and quality of life for people
living in rural and regional Australia.

We need your help to
hear their views. The 2014 survey is still open but closes at
midnight Sunday 30 November. Please
participate and forward this email to others who might be interested in the
survey. You can do the survey online at www.regionalwellbeing.org.au.
Or call 1800 981 499 if you’d like a paper survey, or any other help.
You can choose to do a short, regular or long version of the survey. The
survey is voluntary, confidential and anonymous.
Many communities are now using the Regional Wellbeing Survey’s results as a key
resource. To see last year’s results, click here.

The 2011-13 Australian
Health Survey (AHS) is the largest and most comprehensive health survey ever
conducted in Australia. The survey was designed to collect a range of
information from Australians about health related issues, including health
status, risk factors, socioeconomic circumstances, health-related actions and
use of medical services. In 2011-13, the AHS collected new information on
nutrition and physical activity. It also included the first national biomedical
information collection.

Louise is responsible for
the analysis and dissemination of information related to health. In particular,
she is responsible for the output of the Australian Health Survey including the
nutrition, physical activity and biomedical components and also the Patient
Experience Survey as well as forward planning for future cycles of these
surveys.

Mental Health Carers Tasmania – Caring
Voices Project

Mental Health Carers
Tasmania are excited to launch the Caring Voices Project. If you are a Carer we
would welcome your participation. Further information is detailed below.

Do you care for a person with mental ill
health?

We know that being a carer of a person with mental ill
health can be both rewarding & challenging

As part of the Caring Voices Project, we would like to
hear your story

Mental Health Carers Tasmania wants to develop a better
understanding of the issues faced by mental health carers so that we can
improve community understanding & advocate for the rights and needs of
mental health carers in Tasmania

A mental health carer is someone who provides unpaid
physical, practical or emotional support to a family member, friend, neighbour
or colleague with mental ill health

Participating in the Caring Voices Project will involve
completing either a written or online survey, or a telephone or face-to-face
interview

A Discussion paper has been prepared to start the discussion
about our mental health service system, what it looks like now, what it should
look like into the future and what should be in our a long term plan for mental
health in Tasmania.

The Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network held its inaugural conference in Hobart last November

Visit our website to view and download some of the presentations

Visit: http://sdohtasmania.org.au

.

What are the social determinants of health?

The word social relates to society and means people.

Determinants of health are - broadly speaking - the things that affect your health - either in a positive way (they protect our health and keep us healthy) or a negative way (they make us sick).

If we put these things together - the social determinants of health are things (systems, products, factors) created, shaped and controlled by people that affect our health.

These things include education, housing, employment, transport and so forth. These are created and shaped by people. And because if this it's possible to change them.

As an example, let's look at transport. We - the people - have created our transport systems. Not necessarily you or I personally but as a society we've done this. The problem is that there are many aspects of the system that are not great - many of our streets aren't cycle or pedestrian friendly, if you live in a rural area public transport options are limited, the number of cars on our roads isn't good for the environment and so forth. All of these things about the transport system can affect our health.

But the great thing is that, because we - the people - developed this system in the first place, we have the ability to change it - to make things better and to improve health as a result.

There are other determinants of health - such as our genes - that we can't change. So let's focus on the things we can do to improve health.

More formally, here's how the literature talks about the social determinants of health:

The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries.

Here's a good place to start your reading:

A great publication on the social determinants of health is The Solid Facts.

Vision of the Network

All Tasmanians have the opportunity to live a long, healthy life regardless of their income, education, employment, gender, sexuality, capabilities, cultural background, who they are or where they live.

Membership

Membership of the Network is open to all Tasmanians who share this vision.

Membership is free of charge. Membership means you become a subscriber to our enews and that you get the opportunity to work with others who are part of this Network to undertake advocacy action.

Membership to the Network can be obtained by providing a name, organisation (where there is one but individuals can join as individuals), address, telephone and email address to the Facilitator by email:

socialdeterminantsofhealthtas@gmail.com

The Network currently has more than 220 members across Tasmania (as well as some interstate) from a broad range of sectors.

“The Commission’s main finding is straightforward. The social conditions in which people are born, live, and work are the single most important determinant of good health or ill health, of a long and productive life, or a short and miserable one. ……..This ends the debate decisively. Health care is an important determinant of health. Lifestyles are important determinants of health. ….But, let me emphasize, it is factors in the social environment that determine access to health services and influence lifestyle choices in the first place”.

Dr Margaret Chan, Director General, World Health Organisation.

Tasmanian Action Sheets on the Social Determinants of Health

Visit the Tasmania Council of Social Service website to download 10 action sheets on the social determinants of health in Tasmania.